This is the Seattle Sports Blog bringing you up to date current events of Seattle Sports. This blog has several writers who will discuss several sports related topics but mainly focus on Seattle Sports.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Seahawks busy this offseason sign three key players

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks began the free agency period as big players signing three free agent players. Pete Carroll is being very active this offseason despite letting popular quarterback Matt Hasselbeck go. The Seahawks signed pro bowl wide receiver Sidney Rice, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and former #2 pick overall Robert Gallery. The Seahawks had the third highest cap space combined with a billionaire owner you knew the Seahawks would make some moves this offseason. Last year the Seahawks made more moves than any team in the NFL so I expected this year to be no different. The Seahawks under Carroll preach competition and these guys being brought in sure will help with that. The Seahawks despite winning the division and advancing to the second round of the NFL playoffs were a flawed roster. With these moves the offense will be much improved especially when you factor in the draft. The Seahawks so far have made a statement that they are going back to the 2003-2005 era when they had a great offensive line.

The Seahawks in the draft went offensive line with James Carpenter and John Moffitt to help rescue an area that has been lacking since Steve Hutchinson left after the 2005 season. Well the Seahawks are reuniting Robert Gallery with his former head coach Tom Cable who is the Seahawks offensive line coach. With Gallery the Seahawks are getting a physical 6'7" 325 lb offensive guard. The Seahawks will most likely put Gallery on the left side with last years 6th pick overall Russell Okung to form the best left side they've had since Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson from 2001-2005. With Gallery the Seahawks land the former #2 pick in the 2004 NFL draft as he started 41 games his first three years in the NFL all at tackle. He started 10 of those games at left tackle as the Oakland Raiders were hoping they drafted the next Walter Jones. Well Gallery struggled as a tackle and was labeled a bust. The great thing about "bust" tackles is they always turn into at worst a solid guard. Gallery was switched to guard and has since started 50 games at left guard. The Seahawks are getting a quality offensive lineman who has experience at tackle and guard which should help out the young offensive line. With the offensive line improved the skill players should thrive this season.

The Seahawks let Matt Hasselbeck go at quarterback and are hoping Tarvaris Jackson can be the guy. Jackson knows the offense as his offensive coordinator is now the offensive coordinator for the Seahawks. Now Jackson hasn't produced much in the NFL and for those who know me will know I trashed on him more than any quarterback. Jackson in his four year career in the NFL is 10-10 as a starting quarterback while passing for 3,984 yards while completing 58.7% of his passes with a rating of 76.6 in his career. He has thrown for 24 touchdowns and 22 interceptions while rushing for 535 yards with four touchdowns. Now those aren't great numbers and they are actually below average but they are on par with what Hasselbeck has produced in the last three seasons. Jackson's best season was in 2008 when he helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC North Division championship. That year Jackson played in nine games and started five games. Jackson threw for 1,056 yards while completing 59.1% of his passes with a rating of 95.4 for the season. He also threw for nine touchdowns to just two interceptions while rushing for 145 yards. Jackson will give the Seahawks a mobile quarterback who knows the offense. He will also be familiar with one receiver as well.

The Seahawks signed former pro bowl wide receiver Sidney Rice of the Vikings as first reported by Jay Glazer. Rice comes to the Seahawks signing a five year 41 million dollar contract. Rice is only 24 years old and showed in 2009 he can be the #1 receiver the Seahawks are lacking. The Seahawks haven't sent a wide receiver to the pro bowl as a receiver since 1989 with Brian Blades. With Rice the Seahawks land a receiver who has 146 career receptions for 2,129 yards and 18 touchdowns. His pro bowl season of 2009 he had 83 receptions for 1,312 yards with 8 touchdowns. Rice is a big receiver at 6'4" 200 lbs which will make life difficult on opposing defenses in the red zone. With Rice and Mike Williams the Seahawks now have two big targets they can lob the ball up to for a touchdown. The Seahawks are hoping with a new and improved offensive line they can finally put some points on the board.

In conclusion, the Seahawks are going through with their promise of being active this offseason. That is why you have to love the Seahawks management they always try to improve the team unlike the Seattle Mariners. The Seahawks have went from the worst offensive line in the NFL to possibly a good offensive line by the time they all get used to each other. The Seahawks also have a big play receiver in Rice which slides Williams to a #2 receiver not to mention speedsters Deon Butler and Golden Tate. The Seahawks aren't done yet I have a feeling they'll make some more major moves. The Seahawks made the tough decision on Hasselbeck while responding making big moves with Gallery and Rice. Glad to see a Seattle sports franchise trying to make their team better.